This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/7103193.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Police chief would 'do it again' Police chief would 'do it again'
(31 minutes later)
The chief constable of North Wales Police has said he would show pictures of a decapitated biker again - if "safeguards" were in place.The chief constable of North Wales Police has said he would show pictures of a decapitated biker again - if "safeguards" were in place.
Richard Brunstrom was criticised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) for showing photos of Mark Gibney, 40, at a private briefing without telling his family.Richard Brunstrom was criticised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) for showing photos of Mark Gibney, 40, at a private briefing without telling his family.
Mr Brunstrom told his police authority he made a "stupid mistake".Mr Brunstrom told his police authority he made a "stupid mistake".
He said safeguards should be in place to protect families from similar harm. The authority said it was determined that "lessons will be learned".
When asked by one authority member what he would have done if a "risk assessment" had been carried out first, Mr Brunstrom replied: "I would do the same again - the question is the safeguards." On Tuesday, Mr Brunstrom was asked by one authority member what he would have done if a "risk assessment" had been carried before the briefing when pictures of Mr Gibney were shown.
This message has been delivered by the police authority to the chief constable in the strongest possible terms as management advice North Wales Police Authority
Mr Brunstrom replied: "I would do the same again - the question is the safeguards."
Those safeguards, Mr Brunstrom said, included making sure the family did not suffer.Those safeguards, Mr Brunstrom said, included making sure the family did not suffer.
He again apologised to the Gibney family for their distress. He again apologised to the Gibney family for their distress and told members: "I was stupid and I made a stupid mistake I don't intend to repeat."
Mark Gibney died in a motorcycle crash in 2003
Facing questions from the police authority on Tuesday, Mr Brunstrom told members: "I was stupid and I made a stupid mistake I don't intend to repeat."
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in its report earlier this month said Mr Brunstrom caused distress by showing pictures of motorcyclist Mark Gibney, from Merseyside.The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in its report earlier this month said Mr Brunstrom caused distress by showing pictures of motorcyclist Mark Gibney, from Merseyside.
The 40-year-oold died in 2003 when his bike crashed on a bend between Cerrigydrudion and Ruthin in Denbighshire.The 40-year-oold died in 2003 when his bike crashed on a bend between Cerrigydrudion and Ruthin in Denbighshire.
Mark Gibney died in a motorcycle crash in 2003
An image of his severed head lying on a grass verge was shown to journalists and council officials during a private road safety briefing by the chief constable in April 2007.An image of his severed head lying on a grass verge was shown to journalists and council officials during a private road safety briefing by the chief constable in April 2007.
The IPCC report said that Bill Gibney, Mark's father, had tried to shelter his family from detailed knowledge of the nature of his son's death.The IPCC report said that Bill Gibney, Mark's father, had tried to shelter his family from detailed knowledge of the nature of his son's death.
On Tuesday, Mr Brunstrom again repeated his claim that maybe the media could not be trusted in certain circumstances. In a statement on Tuesday, North Wales Police Authority said: "We are determined that lessons will be learned so that something like this does not happen again.
"This message has been delivered by the police authority to the chief constable in the strongest possible terms as management advice.
"This spells out the consequences of not adhering to the press protocol."
Error of judgement
The statement added: "The chief constable has accepted he made an error of judgement and has rightly apologised unreservedly to the Gibney family once again.
"The action plan devised by the chief constable is a positive development which we welcome.
"As an authority we will work closely with the chief constable and his team to put effective safeguards."
Councillor Hywel Eifion Jones, an authority member from Anglesey, said Mr Brunstrom should consider his position.Councillor Hywel Eifion Jones, an authority member from Anglesey, said Mr Brunstrom should consider his position.
The authority did not ask Mr Brunstrom to resign, but it did query his relationship with the media.The authority did not ask Mr Brunstrom to resign, but it did query his relationship with the media.
One member, Councillor Terry Renshaw from Flintshire, spoke up for Mr Brunstrom.One member, Councillor Terry Renshaw from Flintshire, spoke up for Mr Brunstrom.
He said the chief constable had been "naive" but not stupid, and his campaign against speeding had actively driven down road deaths.He said the chief constable had been "naive" but not stupid, and his campaign against speeding had actively driven down road deaths.